ABU DHABI // Vitamin D deficiency affects infants and children, not just adults, doctors say.
Said El Banna, a 36-year-old American resident of Dubai, was diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency four years ago.
“I have never thought of testing my two daughters for vitamin D deficiency,” said Mr El Banna, whose daughters are 1 and 5 years old.
“It simply didn’t occur to me. All the milk products they consume are fortified with vitamin D, so I’m hoping that that is sufficient. The doctor didn’t warn me about this.”
Mr El Banna, who takes vitamin D pills for his condition, said should his daughters need a blood test, he would ask for them to be checked for their levels of vitamin D.
Dr Maysoon Kamil Hassan, a consultant in histocytopathology at Burjeel Hospital, said she saw many children who lacked vitamin D. Histocytopathology detects and diagnoses diseases through analysis of cell and tissue samples.
“Because of this heat, sometimes children don’t go out to play,” she said.
“Children are overprotected by their parents. Even when they are playing outdoors, their skin is covered, so they are not exposed to the sun.”
People with vitamin D deficiency are at risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.
Vitamin D is necessary for bone health, body functions and is a natural anti-inflammatory agent.
Dr Manohar Reddy, an internal medicine specialist at NMC Specialty Hospital, said infants and young children could lack vitamin D because their parents did not have the time to take them to play outdoors.
“I tell parents that vitamin D is not only for you. The entire family can have vitamin D deficiency,” he said, adding that UAE’s hot and humid weather deterred people from venturing outdoors.
Dr Shobha Shetty, an internal medicine specialist at Medeor Medical Centre, said: “When you have adequate vitamin D, you may not require medication to overcome an inflammation. Plus it helps with malignancy. It has anti-cancer properties and helps to delay diabetes.”
Although it was important for children to get vitamin D through exposure to the sun, Dr Lakshmi Chembolli, a dermatologist at Medeor Medical Centre, warned that childhood sunburns increased the long-term risk of getting skin cancer.
She said children could be fortified with vitamin D through their diet. But she noted that children were often fussy about the food they ate.
Dr Chembolli said educating parents about modifying children’s diets was necessary, especially as excessive heat in cooking degrades vitamin D in food.
arizvi2@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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Anghami
Started: December 2011
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Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
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- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
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- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
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